JP4204122B2 - Centering device for annular member - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the centering GuSo location to center the annular element, such as a pneumatic tire.
[0002]
[Prior art]
When performing a predetermined operation on the annular member, for example, when a uniformity inspection is performed on a pneumatic tire, the pneumatic tire is centered with respect to the uniformity machine, and more specifically, the center axis of the pneumatic tire is the support rim of the uniformity machine. Then, the pneumatic tire is supported by a support rim of a uniformity machine.
[0003]
Conventionally, when such a pneumatic tire is centered with respect to the uniformity machine, when the uniformity measurement of the pneumatic tire is performed at the work station, the pneumatic tire to be measured next by the transfer conveyor is set as the standby station. Next, when the measurement in the uniformity machine is completed and the measured pneumatic tire is unloaded, the next pneumatic tire is transferred from the standby station to the work station by the transfer conveyor, The pneumatic tire is centered by centering means installed at the work station so that the center axis thereof matches the rotation axis of the support rim of the uniformity machine.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in such conventional the centering GuSo location, because it to perform the centering of the pneumatic tire in the working station, during the centering operation inevitable to stop the operation of Uniformity machine, this As a result, there is a problem that work efficiency is lowered.
[0005]
This invention aims at providing a Centering GuSo location of the annular member which can improve the working efficiency of the centering.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The purpose is to provide a conveying means for conveying the annular member to the pre-centering station, a pre-centering means for pre-centering the annular member at the pre -centering station, and the pre-centering station. By supporting the support means from below so that it can be lifted from the transfer surface of the transfer means and moved freely in the horizontal plane, and moving the pre-centering means from the pre-centering station to a work station positioned in front of the pre-centering station , by conveying the member to leave the working station in a state of being pre-centering in the centering device of the annular member and a moving means for centering the work stations annular member, prior to The support means includes a rear-side transformer wheel that can be positioned at a lowered position whose upper end is below the conveying surface of the conveying means and an elevated position that is above the conveying surface, and a rear-side transformer wheel. A front-side transformer wheel provided at the front and disposed at a position where the upper end is located above the conveying surface, and after the annular member rides on the front-side transformer wheel, the rear-side transformer wheel is lowered. The centering device for the annular member can be achieved by lifting the annular member from the conveying surface of the conveying means by the front and rear transformer wheels and supporting the annular member from below by raising it to the raised position .
[0007]
First, after the annular member is conveyed to the pre-centering station by the conveying means, the annular member is pre-centered by the pre-centering means at the pre-centering station. Next, the moving means moves the pre-centering means from the pre-centering station to the work station. At this time, since the pre-centering means maintains the annular member in the pre-centered state, the annular member is pre-centered. The state is conveyed to the work station in a state, and the annular member is thereby centered at the work station where, for example, the uniformity machine is installed. Thereafter, work is performed on the annular member centered at the work station. In this way, the annular member is pre-centered at the pre-centering station that is the previous station of the work station, and the pre-centered annular member is transported to the work station so that it is centered. Work can be carried out simultaneously, thereby improving work efficiency.
[0008]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 and 2, reference numeral 11 denotes a frame of the centering device 12 extending in the front-rear direction, and a pair of guide rails 13 and 14 extending along the frame 11 are laid on the upper surface of the frame 11. A plurality of horizontal rollers 15 extending in a direction orthogonal to the frame 11 are rotatably supported on the frame 11, and these rollers 15 are arranged at approximately equal distances in the front-rear direction. The frame 11 and the roller 15 described above constitute a conveying means 16 that conveys a horizontally placed annular member, here a pneumatic tire T, forward.
[0009]
A pre-centering station P and a work station W (not shown), for example, a work station W in which a uniformity machine is installed, are provided on the transport means 16. The pre-centering station P The roller 15a disposed further rearward and the roller 15c disposed forward of the work station W are both driven and rotated in synchronization by a motor and a belt (not shown). When these rollers 15a rotate, the pneumatic tire T is conveyed to the pre-centering station P by the rollers 15a.
[0010]
Reference numeral 17 denotes a stopper installed in the vicinity of the front end of the pre-centering station P. The stopper 17 is moved up and down by a cylinder (not shown), and the upper part protrudes above the conveyance surface of the roller 15 or enters below the conveyance surface. be able to. And when the upper part of the stopper 17 protrudes from the conveyance surface of the roller 15, when the pneumatic tire T is conveyed to the precentering station P by the rotation of the roller 15a, the pneumatic tire T hits the stopper 17, Stop at the pre-centering station P. On the other hand, among the rollers 15, the rollers 15b disposed in and between the pre-centering station P and the work station W rotate freely.
[0011]
Reference numerals 18 and 19 denote a pair of movable bases slidably supported on the guide rails 13 and 14, respectively. These movable bases 18 and 19 are connected to each other by a connecting member 20 substantially parallel to the roller 15. A pair of rotary actuators 21 and 22 separated from each other in the front-rear direction are fixed to the movable bases 18 and 19, respectively, and the rotary shafts 23 and 24 of the rotary actuators 21 and 22 are proximal ends of horizontal swing arms 25 and 26, respectively. Each part is fixed. Here, of these swinging arms 25 and 26, the swinging arms 25a and 26a arranged on the front side are inclined so as to approach the center in the width direction of the conveying means 16 toward the front, while on the rear side. The installed swing arms 25b and 26b are inclined so as to approach the center in the width direction of the conveying means 16 as they move rearward.
[0012]
Rollers 27 and 28 capable of free rotation about a vertical axis are supported at the tip portions of the swing arms 25 and 26, respectively. These rollers 27 and 28 are swung by the rotary actuators 21 and 22 operating. The outer surface of the tread portion of the pneumatic tire T that moves synchronously inward in the radial direction and stops at the pre-centering station P when the movable arms 25 and 26 are synchronously swung so that the moving arms 25 and 26 are closed (approaching the tips to each other). Are pressed at four points separated in the circumferential direction. As a result, the pneumatic tire T moves in a horizontal plane on the conveying means 16 and coincides with a predetermined position on the pre-centering station P, for example, the center, that is, is pre-centered.
[0013]
The rotary actuators 21 and 22 and the swinging arms 25 and 26 described above constitute a drive mechanism 29 that moves at least three (four in this case) rotatable rollers 27 and 28 in synchronization with each other in a substantially radial direction. The rollers 27 and 28 and the drive mechanism 29 as a whole constitute pre-centering means 30 for pre-centering the pneumatic tire T at the pre-centering station P. If the pre-centering means 30 is configured as described above, the pneumatic tire T can be accurately pre-centered with a simple structure.
[0014]
The pre-centering station P is provided with a rear transformer wheel 34 extending in parallel with the roller 15, and the transformer wheel 34 is fixed to the outer periphery of the support shaft 35 and the support shaft 35. And a plurality of disks 36 arranged at equal distances in the axial direction. Each disk 36 is provided with a plurality of drum-shaped small rollers 37 arranged equidistantly in the circumferential direction. Most of these small rollers 37 are buried in the disk 36, and are radially outer ends. Only the portion protrudes from the outer periphery of the disk 36. Further, both ends of the small roller 37 are rotatably supported by the disk 36, and the rotation axis thereof is parallel to the tangential direction of the disk 36.
[0015]
Reference numeral 39 denotes a bracket extending along the roller 15, and both end portions of the support shaft 35 of the transformer wheel 34 are rotatably supported by both end portions of the bracket 39. Reference numeral 40 denotes a vertically extending cylinder fixed to the frame 11 directly below the bracket 39, and the bracket 39 is connected to the tip of the piston rod 41 of the cylinder 40. When the piston rod 41 of the cylinder 40 is retracted, the transformer wheel 34 is lowered to a lowered position D whose upper end is below the conveying surface of the roller 15 as shown by a solid line in FIG. When the rod 41 protrudes, as shown by a phantom line in FIG. 2, the rod 41 rises to a rising position U which is above the conveying surface of the roller 15 and here is about 5 mm above.
[0016]
The pre-centering station P in front of the transformer wheel 34 is provided with a front transformer wheel 44 having the same configuration as the transformer wheel 34. The transformer wheel 44 is attached to both ends of the support shaft 46 on the frame 11. Is fixed. The transformer wheel 44 is arranged at a position where its upper end is about 5 mm above the conveying surface of the roller 15.
[0017]
When the pneumatic tire T conveyed to the pre-centering station P is supported from below by the transformer wheel 34 and the transformer wheel 44 in the raised position U while being lifted from the conveyance surface of the roller 15, The entering tire T can freely move in the horizontal plane by the rotation of the disk 36 and the small roller 37. The above-described transformer wheel 34, bracket 39, cylinder 40, and transformer wheel 44 are provided in the pre-centering station P as a whole, and when the pneumatic tire T is pre-centered, the pneumatic tire T is transferred to the transport surface of the transport means 16 . The support means 45 is configured to support from below so that it can be lifted up and moved freely in a horizontal plane.
[0018]
Reference numeral 48 denotes a cylinder as a moving means extending in the front-rear direction attached to the frame 11 behind the pre-centering station P. The tip of the piston rod 49 of the cylinder 48 is connected to the movable base 19 of the pre-centering means 30. Yes. When the piston rod 49 of the cylinder 48 protrudes, the pre-centering means 30 moves from the pre-centering station P to the work station W while being guided by the guide rails 13 and 14. At this time, the pre-centering means 30 is When the pneumatic tire T is gripped from the outside, the pneumatic tire T slides on the roller 15 in a pre-centered state and is conveyed to the work station W together with the pre-centering means 30. When the pneumatic tire T reaches the work station W, the central axis of the pneumatic tire T coincides with the rotation axis of the support rim of the uniformity machine, and the pneumatic tire T is centered at the work station W.
[0019]
Next, the operation of one embodiment of the present invention will be described.
Now, the pre-centering means 30 is located at the pre-centering station P, the swing arms 25 and 26 are opened to allow the pneumatic tire T to be carried into the pre-centering station P, and the transformer wheel 34 is While waiting at the lowered position D, it is assumed that the upper portion of the stopper 17 protrudes from the conveying surface of the roller 15.
[0020]
When the roller 15a is rotated in this state, the horizontally placed pneumatic tire T is conveyed toward the pre-centering station P. During this conveyance, the pneumatic tire T reaches the transformer wheel 34. As described above, since the transformer wheel 34 stands by at the lowered position D below the conveyance surface of the roll 15, the pneumatic tire T It is smoothly conveyed toward the front without being affected by the wheel 34. Thereafter, the pneumatic tire T is further conveyed forward while riding on the transformer wheel 44. When the pneumatic tire T is conveyed to the pre-centering station P, the pneumatic tire T stops against the stopper 17, but at this time, the rotation of the roller 15a stops.
[0021]
Next, the stopper 17 is immersed below the conveying surface of the roller 15, and the piston rod 41 of the cylinder 40 is protruded to raise the transformer wheel 34 to the rising position U at the same height as the transformer wheel 44. Accordingly, the pneumatic tire T is lifted from the conveying surface of the roller 15 by the transformer wheels 34 and 44 and is supported from below in a horizontal state.
[0022]
Simultaneously with the raising of the transformer wheel 34, the rotary actuators 21 and 22 are operated to synchronously swing so as to close the swing arms 25 and 26, so that the rollers 27 and 28 surrounding the pneumatic tire T from the outside have a substantially radius. Move synchronously inward. As a result, the rollers 27 and 28 are pressed against the outer surface of the tread portion of the pneumatic tire T stopped at the pre-centering station P at four points separated in the circumferential direction. As a result, the pneumatic tire T To move and pre-center. At this time, since the pneumatic tire T is supported from below only by the transformer wheels 34 and 44 as described above, the disk 36 and the small roller of the transformer wheels 34 and 44 are moved when the pneumatic tire T moves in the horizontal plane. Since the 37 rotates simultaneously, the movement is performed smoothly and the centering accuracy is improved.
[0023]
Next, when the piston rod 49 of the cylinder 48 is protruded, the pre-centering means 30 moves from the pre-centering station P to the work station W as indicated by a virtual line in FIG. 1 while being guided by the guide rails 13 and 14. At this time, since the pre-centering means 30 keeps the pneumatic tire T in the pre-centered state, the pneumatic tire T slides on the roller 15b while being pre-centered and works together with the pre-centering means 30. It is conveyed to station W. Thus, the center axis of the pneumatic tire T is aligned with the rotation axis of the support rim of the uniformity machine and is centered at the work station W.
[0024]
Next, the rotary actuators 21 and 22 are operated to open the swing arms 25 and 26, and the piston rod 41 of the cylinder 40 is retracted to return the transformer wheel 34 to the lowered position D. Next, the piston rod 49 of the cylinder 48 is retracted, and the pre-centering means 30 is returned from the work station W to the pre-centering station P. Thereafter, the pneumatic tire T is mounted on the uniformity machine, and the measurement work of uniformity is performed on the pneumatic tire T at the work station W. At the same time, the pre-centering station P performs the above-described measurement on the next pneumatic tire T. The same pre-centering work is performed.
[0025]
In this way, the pneumatic tire T is pre-centered at the pre-centering station P, which is the previous station of the work station W, and the pre-centered pneumatic tire T is transported to the work station W for centering. The pre-centering and the measurement work at the work station W can be performed at the same time, and the work efficiency is easily improved.
[0026]
In the above-described embodiment, a total of four rollers 27 and 28 for pre-centering the pneumatic tire T are arranged apart from each other in the circumferential direction. However, in the present invention, at least three rollers are sufficient. In the above-described embodiment, the swing arms 25 and 26 are swung by the rotary actuators 21 and 22, but in the present invention, the swing arm is swung synchronously using a motor and a belt. It may be. At this time, if the external gears engaged with each other are fixed to the swing arms arranged adjacent to each other in the front-rear direction, the swing arms arranged adjacent to each other can be easily synchronized. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the transformer wheel 34 is moved up and down so as to protrude onto the conveyance surface of the roller 15 or to be immersed under the conveyance surface. However, in the present invention, the transformer wheel is swung. In this case, the roller may protrude on the conveyance surface or be immersed below the conveyance surface.
[0027]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the work efficiency of centering can be easily improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows II in FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
12 ... Centering device 16 ... Conveying means
27, 28 ... Roller 29 ... Drive mechanism
30 ... Pre-centering means 45 ... Support means
48 ... Movement means T ... Ring member P ... Pre-centering station W ... Work station

Claims (1)

Conveying means for conveying the annular member to the pre -centering station , pre -centering means for pre-centering the annular member at the pre -centering station, and provided in the pre-centering station, when performing pre-centering, the annular member is removed from the conveying surface of the conveying means. The annular member is pre-centered by lifting the support means from below so that it can be moved freely in the horizontal plane, and by moving the pre-centering means from the pre-centering station to a work station located in front of the pre-centering station . by conveyed to leave the working station of the state, in the centering device of the annular member and a moving means for centering the work stations annular member, said support means has an upper end A rear transformer wheel which can be positioned at a lowered position below the conveying surface of the conveying means and an elevated position above the conveying surface; and an upper end provided in front of the rear transformer wheel. And a front-side transformer wheel disposed at a position above the conveying surface, and after the annular member rides on the front-side transformer wheel, the rear-side transformer wheel is raised from the lowered position to the raised position. Thus, the annular member centering device is characterized in that the annular member is lifted from the conveying surface of the conveying means by the front and rear transformer wheels and supported from below .

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